Lent Poem (Written 2/23/24)

Lent Poem - 2/23/24

Last spring I cried in my bed, tangled in

old sheets and lies. My fear-weary form leaned

near the rose-tinted laptop, which had been

an incandescent beacon in what seemed

an endless season of groping on palms

and knees in the dark. Guitar melodies

shimmered through my headphones, like a warm balm

to my bleeding heart. For even in misery,

the burning dawn welcomed me from a distance.

It wasn’t the singer, but the Sower

who dressed my gashed wings, broke my resistance,

and was kind and meek enough to lower

His gaze to meet mine, and whisper, dear one.

Even now, the war is already won.

---

In February, I attended a lecture in Nashville by Andrew Peterson. It was truly profound, perhaps one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. Peterson touched on many rich subjects -- time, melancholy, mental illness, the future redemption of all things, and how all this relates to the arts. One statement he made that particularly stood out to me was, "If there's a memory that won't leave you alone, maybe God has it lodged up there for a reason". I realize this is complicated, because many struggle with horrible, traumatic memories from which they long to be free. Mentally replaying the past, especially repeatedly, may sometimes do more harm than good. At the same time, I believe Holy Spirit often invites us (with Him, and maybe with the help of a trusted friend or counselor) to consider scenes from earlier in our lives. This process can bring healing to our present and future selves. And for artists, old memories, good and difficult, can be crafted into incandescent new pieces.

All that to say, I wrote this poem with the intent of putting Andrew Peterson's advice into practice. It describes a particular scene from my own story while also serving as a tribute to the way Peterson's music has impacted my life. If you're familiar with his songs, you might notice a couple of references to "The Dark Before the Dawn". Regardless, I hope this poem encourages you! As much as Andrew Peterson's work has inspired me, I ultimately owe everything to Jesus. There truly is no more brilliant Artist, kinder Lord, or dearer Friend.

(Also...I'd HIGHLY encourage you to listen to the lecture I mentioned above! It's a little over an hour long. Here's the link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCqLfhJcuCk.)